I'm so sorry it took me so long to update, but school and driving lessons got in the way (well, I got my driving licence out of this mess at least). I can't promise I'll update more often but I'll do my best.
Thanks to everyone who supports this story it means SO SO much to me. And thanks to my beta Fi, of course.
Chapter Eight.
Robin moved towards her but Elsa raised a warning hand, her expression as menacing as possible.
"Stay away," she uttered, her voice strained.
"We mean you no harm," Robin stated in a careful tone.
"Who are you?" Elsa asked, her chin raised.
"Robin of Locksley. This is my wife, Marian," he explained, gesturing towards the woman in question.
"What are you doing here?"
"We live in the forest," Marian uttered before he had a chance to reply. "Who are you? Do you need help?" He knew her intentions were genuine, however he cringed at her question, knowing the queen of Arendelle would surely go on the defensive.
As he had predicted, Elsa stiffened, taken aback by the question. "That is none of your business".
"Please, we just want to help you," the archer pleaded.
He made to move towards her but Elsa stopped him once again "Don't move any further or you'll regret it!" she threatened.
"Elsa, please." He instantly regretted uttering her name.
The Ice Queen glared at him. "How do you know my name?"
"I... " Robin stuttered, looking to a helpless and confused Marian for help.
"You're in cahoots with them aren't you?" Elsa accused him.
"With who?"
"You know perfectly well what I'm talking about," she hissed. "Is this some kind of trap for Hans to get to me?"
"I don't work for Hans, Elsa," he answered.
"Then how do you know my name?"
"Your sister Anna told me about you."
"Anna is here?" Elsa's mask slipped away for a second before her features hardened again. "Where is she? What have you people done with her?"
"She is safe. Kristoff is with her. We were trying to help her find you."
"You know Kristoff too?"
"Yes. I actually met him several years ago and helped him in his quest to find Anna. We're friends," he added, hoping the queen would come round.
Elsa shifted her gaze between Robin and Marian, wondering what to do.
"Elsa, what I want is to help you, all of you. Kristoff is my friend, but he's only happy if Anna is, and right now the only thing your sister wants is to find you. Please, come with us so we can take you to her."
"You can trust us," Marian offered hopefully, with a warm smile. She stepped towards the frightened girl and, when Elsa didn't move away from her, placed a tentative hand on her arm.
"Alright," the queen of Arendelle gave in, bowing her head. Robin smiled widely.
Marian locked fingers with her and nodded encouragingly, bringing her closer to Robin.
"I'm sorry for behaving like I did," Elsa apologized. "I'm not used to trusting strangers."
"I understand," Robin said. "You don't have to worry anymore, Elsa. You're close to meeting your sister." The prospect making the queen smile.
She made to speak again but Robin's eyes widened, "GET DOWN!" he hollered, bringing both women down with him.
The impact with the cold hard ground took the breath out of her and when Elsa raised her head a thick fragment of ice was stuck into a nearby tree. She quickly turned to see what had happened, her eyes landing on two figures emerging from the trees, advancing into the clearing.
"Freya," she breathed, fear taking hold of her. "You have to go away," she urged her two new friends.
"Why?" Marian asked.
"There's no time to explain. She is dangerous!"
"What does she want?" Marian asked.
Elsa sighed, "Me."
"I won't leave you here alone to fend for yourself," Robin stated.
Elsa tried to protest but he cut her off. "Marian, take Elsa with you. Find Emma or David, whoever can help. Send them over here, I'll need backup."
"I can't possibly allow you to do this," Elsa argued.
"What about Roland?" Marian wondered.
"He is safe with Little John and Tuck. Now GO!" he shouted more forcefully than he had intended.
Marian quickly took hold of Elsa's arm, who started running away with her, but not without looking back at the archer in regret.
Robin turned towards the two figures, an arrow in his hand, his bow drawn.
Elsa's nemeses were a man and a woman, both dressed like they belonged to royalty.
"She is escaping," Hans anxiously pointed out to his companion. "Why are you so calm? We need to get to her!" he stressed.
"You'll need to get past me first!" Robin shouted.
The woman's face contorted in an amused smirk, making her beautiful visage appear ugly due to her barely concealed rage. She slowly traced the contours of the small mirror she was holding, looking pensive.
"I don't see much of a problem," she replied in a soft, feminine voice. "Prepare yourself to face the music, Hans. Let's see if the thief can dance as well."
Ruby placed three steaming mugs on the counter, smiling at them "Here you are, three hot chocolates with whipped cream and cinnamon. Gran is making pancakes."
"Thanks, Ruby," Emma mumbled.
Henry eagerly tucked in to his breakfast.
"Slow down, mate, you don't want to choke on all those good things," Hook warned, sliding into the booth next to Henry.
The teenager smiled mischievously at him and started chewing slower, before taking a sip from his own mug.
"Why so blue, Mom?"
"Yeah, why so blue, Swan?" Hook piped in.
"It's nothing," Emma answered, clearly avoiding the subject.
"It doesn't seem like nothing to me," Hook pointed out.
"Me neither," Henry agreed.
"What are you two, bloody parrots?" the blonde snapped.
"No need to be so defensive, love."
Emma lowered her head, staring at her steaming mug while absentmindedly opening and closing her hand. "Sorry. Just leave me be, you guys, alright?" She remained silent for a while, playing with the spoon in her cup, before announcing, "I need to go to the ladies'."
"I think it might be about that business with my other Mom," Henry whispered to Killian, as soon as Emma disappeared around the corner. "I reckon she feels guilty for having brought Robin Hood's wife back."
Hook frowned. "But we couldn't know who she was, she never told us her name," the pirate countered.
"I know, and she knows that too. I don't think she regrets saving Marian, but she feels sorry for my Mom."
Killian stared into space for a while before answering. "Do you think...?"
The jingling of the doorbell interrupted him. They both turned to see a breathless Marian entering the diner, along with another young woman, beautiful in her light blue robes.
"I need to speak to Leia," Marian urged, looking at Hook.
"What happened?"
"Robin and I met Elsa in the woods; she was being hunted by two other people. Robin told me to come here to ask for help. He said he needs backup."
"We need to get Emma," Hook mumbled, before hollering a loud "Swaaan!"
Emma appeared almost immediately. "What the hell is going on?" she asked, taking in Elsa's appearance.
"Not much time to explain, love, we have to go. Robin needs our help."
"What?" she asked confused, making her way over to them.
"They found me in the woods, I was being chased. I came here with Marian but Robin stayed behind to fight my aggressors," Elsa answered.
Emma inhaled deeply before switching to sheriff's mode. "Ok," she started, reaching for her gun. "Henry, go to Regina's. She can keep you safe."
"But..." the boy protested.
"Do as I say, kid. Marian, you'll stay here with Elsa."
"I'll come with you, my husband needs help!" the other woman replied.
"No chance in hell. You stay here and protect Elsa, Besides, we need someone to alert David. Tell Granny, she'll know what to do." She finally turned towards Hook. "Killian, you come with me."
"You needn't have asked, love," he commented, following her out the door.
A knock on the door interrupted Regina's musings. She groaned lowering her cup of coffee and moving to the hallway to shout "Go away!"
A muffled voice came from behind the front door." Mom! It's me, Henry! Open up, please!"
She silently waited for him to go away, unsure on what to do. However when he knocked again, more insistently this time, Regina had no choice but to open the door.
The instant relief she felt upon seeing her son's face made her forget all her troubles. She didn't even know why she had hesitated before welcoming him in her house, in his house. "Henry," she whispered, emotion leaving her breathless.
"Mom," a bright smile lit up his face and he launched himself at her, making her gasp, a single tear rolling down her cheek. Regina hugged him back, reveling in her boy's warmth and familiar scent.
She hadn't realized how much she was missing her son until that hollow place in her dark, resilient heart felt full again, until the joy of having him in her arms made her feel grateful for the few good things she had in her life.
He raised his head to look at her after a few seconds, still locked in her embrace.
"I know this is not a great moment for me to be here but..." he started uneasily.
She slowly let go of him, staring at him seriously. "That's nonsense, Henry. You're always welcome here, you know that," she reminded him softly.
"I know," he whispered awkwardly, not sure on how to phrase what he was trying to say. "It's just that I thought you didn't want to see me for a while and..." he swallowed before continuing, "I didn't know if coming here was the right thing to do."
"Oh, sweetheart, I'm so sorry," Regina apologized in a concerned voice that betrayed signs of tiredness.
"It's alright," he reassured her knowingly. "I'm not angry at you, I'm just worried."
Regina made to protest but he interrupted her. "I missed you, though."
Her eyes shined with tears at his statement and she caressed his cheek with a grateful smile on her face. "I missed you too, baby. I'm so sorry if you felt left by yourself. Please know I could never forget about you, I love you more than anything and I'll always be there for you."
"You don't have to say it, Mom. I know. I love you too."
She kissed his head softly and smiled through his hair.
"Are you hungry? Have you had breakfast yet?" She asked looking down at him. Regina smiled slightly looking at him, realizing how fast her boy was growing up - soon she wouldn't have to look down at him, he would be the same height as her any day now.
"I haven't."
"Good, how does pancakes sound?"
"Awesome."
Robin kept his position, bow drawn, and every muscle in his body tense.
The woman advanced on him, a malicious grin on her face.
"Look what we have here, Robin of Locksley, son of Walter Locksley," Freya commented, making his blood run cold. How on earth did she know who he was?
Despite his disbelief upon discovering she knew exactly who he was, Robin maintained a straight face. "Don't come any closer," he warned, "or I'll shoot and, trust me, I never miss."
"So presumptuous," she commented with a teasing smile. "I didn't understand how the Queen could possibly like you so much, but now... now I do."
"Regina?" the words were out of his mouth before he could stop them.
She smiled even more, obviously pleased she had caused a reaction in him.
"Why so surprised, Locksley?" she wondered, feigning innocence. "Don't worry, I know everything about you, your charming son, your sweet wife and your impulsive lover," she proclaimed while running her fingers along the edge of the small mirror she was holding in her hand.
He didn't know why but he had a strange feeling about it. "I've seen your heart, Robin Hood, and it's mine," she murmured, tilting her head while her icy blue eyes pierced his soul.
"You know nothing about me," he spat.
The mirror seemed to glow in her hand, an odd aura radiating from it.
"You stay away from them, do you hear?" he added mendaciously.
"Oh, but I don't want anything from them. You see, my only concern is to get reunited with my adorable niece as soon as possible and, right now, you're standing in the way."
She moved her hand swiftly and Robin was thrown violently against a tree, his bow and arrow scattered a few feet from him.
"Leave the archer be, Freya. Elsa must be long away from us already," her companion urged her.
"Do not fret, Hans. We'll get to her soon enough. Right now I have more pressing matters to attend to," she concluded looking over at a helpless Robin.
Regina flipped the last pancake with regal prowess and looked sideways at her son, who was casually leaning against the counter, doing his best to conceal the hungry expression on his face.
"Don't worry, pancakes are almost ready," she reassured him with a knowing smile.
"Yeah, take your time, Mom," he commented, trying to sound nonchalant.
"Said the one who's been ogling the pan for minutes," she mocked, grinning.
The grumbling sound of his stomach betrayed him and he gave up all pretense. "I hope those pancakes will be ready very soon," he admitted, making Regina chuckle.
She leaned in to kiss his cheek, whispering, "And ready they are."
"Perfect!" he exclaimed, making his mother laugh more.
Regina placed the stack of pancakes on the table, taking the opportunity to kiss her son again and smiling at how his nose wrinkled up in embarrassment.
She then turned to open the kitchen cabinet, standing on her tiptoes to retrieve some syrup. Regina released a soft moan when she felt a sudden sharp pain in her back. She grimaced and steadied herself against the kitchen counter.
"Mom, is everything alright?" Henry asked.
"Yes, everything's fine, sweetie," she lied, massaging her back lightly.
"Here," she said, placing the syrup in front of her son, "tuck in."
With a satisfied grin on his face, Henry proceeded to do just that.
Robin tried hopelessly to scamper off the ground, but another gust of wind made him fall on his knees, knocking the air out of his lungs.
"You foolish thief, you think you can outsmart me? You don't stand a chance."
He raised his head, looking at her defiantly. Her mirror was engulfed in bright white light, her icy blue eyes shining more than ever. His insides twisted at the sight and a strange feeling of apprehension and anticipation took hold of him.
"Believe me, you haven't seen the last of me, he stated," raising himself from the ground with difficulty.
She let out a maniacal laugh, her expression so similar to Regina's when she had told him she wanted to destroy her sister, back in the Enchanted Forest. That woman was driven by sheer bloodlust; he knew she wouldn't stop at anyone or anything until she got what she wanted.
He had promised Elsa he would protect her and take her safely to her sister – and he would not go back on that promise.
The mad woman in front of him needed to be stopped at all costs, not only for Kristoff's sake but also for his Roland, for Marian... and for Regina.
"So, how are things going in the rest of the world - that is, Storybrooke?" Regina asked.
"Things are... great," he said without much conviction.
She didn't buy it, she knew him too well. "Henry, is there something you need to tell me?"
He cleared his throat uncomfortably. "The thing is... I was having breakfast at Granny's with Mom and Killian but we had a bit of a problem."
Regina furrowed her brow; that didn't sound like good news. "What kind of problem?"
"Robin found Elsa in the woods."
"Well, that's wonderful news, we resolved the problem with Anna and her mountain man," Regina commented.
Henry bit his lip, looking so much like his adoptive mother in that moment. "It's not that easy."
Regina frowned. "Henry, sweetheart, I'm afraid I don't understand."
"You see, Elsa was being chased... by Freya and Hans, according to Marian's description."
"Marian? What happened...?"
Her eyes widened suddenly, "Is Roland okay?"
"Yes, he is. He's with Marian and Elsa at Granny's."
Regina swallowed, fearing the answer to her next question. "And Robin?"
"He's... he's remained behind to fight Freya and Hans."
"What do you want from me?" he asked, still laying on the ground, feeling like a puppet in her hands.
"You see, what my friend Hans here seems to have forgotten is that before we get to Elsa, I need to get rid of one little bump in the road, that is, you. And while I'm at it, why shouldn't I enjoy myself a little bit in the process?"
Robin frowned in confusion, his eyes squinting against the blinding light coming from her mirror.
She then spoke in a sickeningly sweet voice. "Don't worry, dear, you won't feel anything."
And after that, all he could see was white.
The woman was right though, he didn't feel a thing.
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